We’re keeping a close eye on showers and thunderstorms to our northwest (across Iowa and Minnesota) this morning as these will continue to drop southeast with time today.  We know we’ll see clouds increase locally from this complex of storms and some of the latest short-term model data brings in light rain during the afternoon as the complex drops southeast into IL and IN- though in a much weaker state.  We’ll include mention of an afternoon shower due to this.

As we move into the weekend concern remains around the possibility of multiple thunderstorm complexes impacting our area.  The Storm Prediction Center includes us in a Slight Risk of severe weather Saturday and Sunday, including the chance of some storms producing a damaging wind and hail threat.  We target Saturday morning and again Saturday night and Sunday for the best chances of thunderstorm complexes.  Saturday night/ Sunday morning may provide the greatest risk of severe storms, and we’ll continue to monitor.  We also note high precipitable water values present this weekend suggesting the threat of some localized flooding where storms train.  Widespread 1″ rainfall can be expected this weekend, but we do caution some areas will see locally heavier totals in excess of 2″.

A much cooler, drier and fall-like feel is still slated to blow into town early next week, setting the stage for an incredible close to July and open to August!